Food Assistance Program (FAP)

Food assistance benefits help to raise the nutrition level in zero- and low-income households. Each month, your food assistance benefits will load automatically onto an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card called the Ohio Direction Card. You use the same card every month to buy groceries at participating stores.

Food assistance benefits cannot be used to purchase the following:

Alcohol

Tobacco

Prepared hot foods or meals “to-go” that will be eaten immediately

Non-food items

Ohio Direction Card (EBT)

The Ohio Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system has replaced food-stamp coupons with the Ohio Direction Card, an electronic debit card. The card is safe because no one can use it without your four-digit PIN.

Low-income households may be eligible to receive the Ohio Direction Card. Many disabled or elderly individuals may also be eligible.

Households are people who live together and purchase and eat most of their meals together. A household can be one person, a family, or a group of unrelated people. The amount of benefits a household receives depends on household size, combined monthly income, shelter expenses, child care, and some medical expenses (for those 60 and older or disabled).

How to Apply

Once you have completed, signed, and dated the application, you can submit it online via the link below, fax it to 1.866.351.8292 (toll-free), mail it to 1180 S. Main Street, Suite 102, Akron, OH 44301-1256, or bring it in. You must have an initial interview to determine your eligibility.